WhileDragon Ball Daimais a fresh entry into the franchise, it also serves as a tribute to its rich history. With series creator, Akira Toriyama having returned to oversee the story and character designs during production,Daimahas generated significant buzz with its blend of nostalgia and innovation. Ina recent interview,DaimaProducer Akio Iyoku details the delicate balance between honoring the late Toriyama’s original vision and crafting a compelling new adventure.
Since its debut nearly 40 years ago,Dragon Ballremains one of the most influential and beloved anime franchises worldwide. Toriyama’s series continuously evolves, introducing new storylines, characters, and even animation styles. The latest series,Daima, follows Goku and his friends after they are mysteriously transformed into smaller versions of themselves and set off on an adventure in the Great Demon Realm. Akio,Daima’s executive producer, shares insights into the making of the series, providinga deeper understanding of the creative process behind this highly acclaimed anime.
Dragon Ball Daima Producer Discusses the Series' Development
Iyoku Details Finding the Right Balance Between Akira Toriyama’s Original Vision and the Final Product
Initially, Toriyama was asked to provide minimal input on the project, but as development progressed, he became increasingly enthusiastic. This energy snowballed, and Toriyama eventually contributed much more than anticipated. This led toDragon Ball Daima, a series thatharkens back to Goku’s early adventures while expanding the franchise’s lore in bold directions.
“About six years ago, when I was makingDragon Ball Super: Super Hero, I began wanting to do a new project that was different from the movie… I thought about having [Akira Toriyama] check it out for a while but didn’t want to burden Sensei… I pitched it, and as I proceeded, Sensei was very enthusiastic. The anime is different from my original plan, but after working with Sensei, we made the most of it.” - Akio Iyoku,Mantan-web
Iyoku also emphasizes the importance of makingDaimaaccessible to multiple generations. WithDragon Ballspanning decades, many current fans are parents who grew up watchingDragon Ball GTorDragon Ball Z. As a result,Daimawas designed to appeal to both longtime viewers. Remarkably, work on the anime commenced before the entire story was finalized, leading to an experience the producer likens to a serialized manga, where plot elements evolved dynamically during production.
Dragon Ball Daima Continues to Surprise and Delight
The Latest Dragon Ball Series Honors the Past While Charting New Territory
One of the most exciting aspects ofDaimais its setting in the Great Demon Realm, a previously unexplored territory in theDragon Balluniverse. According to Iyoku,Toriyama played a crucial role in shaping this new world, coming up with ideas for its inhabitants and design. Given the anime’s extended format compared to a movie, the production team had to pace the storytelling carefully, ensuring it retained theexhilarating twists and turnsthat defineDragon Ball. Instead of constantly chasing after stronger transformations,Daimaleans into creative combat choreography, showcasing Goku’s agility and technique rather than sheer brute force.
Dragon Ball Daima Confirms Final Episode with Action-Packed ‘Climax’ Trailer: Watch
Dragon Ball Daima officially enters its climax with episode #17, and the series has released a brand-new, action-packed trailer to celebrate.
Looking ahead,Dragon Ball Daimais set to conclude its 20-episode run on July 20, 2025. Iyoku teases thatthe climax will be packed with thrilling actionsequences, surprising twists, and satisfying character moments. He assures viewers that some plot developments will completely defy expectations and keep the audience on edge until the very end. With its worldwide release and growing global audience, four decades on,Dragon Ballcontinues to cement its legacy as one of the most enduring and influential anime series of all time.
